Integrated sensor and lens assembly with post-tuning optical alignment

ABSTRACT

An integrated image sensor and lens assembly may include a lens barrel, a collet, and a lens mount. The lens barrel may be coupled to the collet which is coupled to the lens mount. The lens barrel and the collet may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. Alternatively, the collet and the lens mount may each include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. The optical distance between the set of lenses and the image sensor may be tuned such that the focal plane of the lenses coincides with the image plane. The fastening structures allow the lens barrel to be adjusted relative to the lens mount in order to shift the focal plane in a direction along the optical axis to compensate for focal shifts occurring during assembly/cure and/or temperature cycling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/080,340, filed Oct. 26, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/448,320, filed on Jun. 21, 2019, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,819,892, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/233,936, filed Aug. 10, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,341,541, whichclaims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/205,602, filed Aug. 14, 2015, the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a camera, and more specifically, to anintegrated sensor and lens assembly of a camera.

BACKGROUND

Manufacturing of lens assemblies for high-resolution cameras typicallyrequire a high degree of precision in positioning components of the lensassembly to ensure that the lens will achieve proper focus. As a result,a challenge exists in achieving a fast, automated, and high-yieldingassembly process for high-resolution cameras.

In a conventional manufacturing process, a lens barrel housing thecamera lens is placed within a housing assembly affixed to an imagesensor. The position of the lens barrel is adjusted relative to theimage sensor such that the focal plane of the lens aligns with the imageplane of the image sensor. Upon tuning the lens barrel's position andalignment for optical focal length and axial tilt, dimensional shifts ofthe lens barrel may be introduced such as by post curing and cyclingtests. The lens may shift along the optical axis and the optical axismay tilt as a result of the lens barrel shifting, which alters thedistance between the lens and the image sensor. This affects focus ofthe lenses and compromises performance and yield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present disclosure can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first example integratedimage sensor and lens assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second example integratedimage sensor and lens assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for manufacturingan integrated image sensor and lens assembly, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a third example integratedimage sensor and lens assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example camera that includes an integrated imagesensor and lens assembly, according to one embodiment.

The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

An integrated image sensor and lens assembly may comprise a lens barrel,a collet, and a lens mount. The lens barrel may be coupled to the colletwhich is coupled to the lens mount. The lens mount may be coupled to animage sensor substrate that has an image sensor lying on an image plane.The lens mount may include a tube portion and a base portion. The tubeportion may have a channel and may extend from the base portion in adirection of an optical axis substantially perpendicular to a focalplane. The collet may include a body extending into a channel of a tubeportion of the lens mount, and the lens barrel may include a firstportion extending into the body of the collet. In some embodiments, thelens barrel and the collet each include a fastening structure reciprocalto each other. The collet may be affixed to the lens mount, for example,via adhesive. In some embodiments, the collet and the lens mount eachmay include a fastening structure reciprocal to each other. The lensbarrel may be affixed to the collet, for example, via adhesive. Theoptical distance between the set of lenses and the image sensor may betuned such that the focal plane of the lenses coincides with the imageplane. However, posting curing and cycling tests may cause dimensionaldrifts which cause the focal plane of the set of lenses to shift awayfrom the image plane. The fastening structures allow the lens barrel tobe adjusted relative to the lens mount in order to shift the focal planein a direction along the optical axis to compensate for focal shiftsoccurring during assembly/cure and/or temperature cycling. As such, theoptical distance between the set of lenses and the image sensor can beadjusted post-curing to maintain optimal focus.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment ofan integrated image sensor and lens assembly 100 that includes a cameralens barrel 110, a camera lens mount 120, a collet 150, and an imagesensor substrate 140. The image sensor substrate 140 has an image sensorassembly 130 (e.g., a high-definition image sensor) for capturing imagesand/or video. The camera lens mount 120 may be physically affixed to theimage sensor substrate 140 and also affixed to the collet 150. Thecollet 150 may be further coupled to the camera lens barrel 110.

The lens barrel 110 may comprise one or more lenses (e.g., a compoundlens) or other optical components to direct light to the image sensorassembly 130. The lens barrel 110 may comprise a lower portion 116, oneor more barrel arms 114, and a lens window 112. The lower portion 116 ofthe lens barrel 110 may be substantially cylindrical and structured toat least partially extend into the body 158 of the collet 150. Thebarrel arms 114 may extend radially from the body of the lens barrel 110and may be outside the body 158 of the collet 150 when assembled. Thebody 158 of the collet 150 may be substantially cylindrical forreceiving the lens barrel 110.

The barrel arms 114 may be in contact or in close proximity with thecollet arms 152, when assembled. In some embodiments, the lens arms 114may be used to physically couple the lens barrel 110 to the camera body(not shown). The lens barrel 110 includes a fastening structure such asthreads 118 on the outer surface of the lower portion 116 of the lensbarrel 110. In FIG. 1 , the threads 118 are illustrated with dottedlines to indicate that they are on the outer surface of the lens barrel110 and not part of the cross-sectional view. The collet 150 may alsoinclude a fastening structure, reciprocal to the fastening structure ofthe lens barrel 110, such as threads 156 on the inner surface of thebody 158. The fastening structures of the lens barrel 110 and of thecollet 150 may be configured to mate with each other such that the lensbarrel 110 may be fastened to the collet 150. The fastening structuresof the lens barrel 110 and collet 150 (e.g., threads) may be tunablewith respect to each other to enable the vertical position of the lensbarrel 110 within the collet 150 to be vertically adjusted. For example,in a threaded assembly, the lens barrel 110 can be rotated in a firstdirection to lower the lens barrel 110 with respect to the collet 150and can be rotated in a second direction to raise the lens barrel 110with respect to the collet 150. The body 158 of the collet 150 mayextend away from the lens window 112 when assembled and into the channelof the tube portion 128 of the camera lens mount 120.

The lens window 112 may include optical components to enable externallight to enter the lens barrel 110 and be directed to the image sensorassembly 130. In an embodiment, the bottom 154 of the collet 150 has anopening (illustrated with dotted lines) that allows rays of light topass through to the image sensor assembly 130. For example, the bottom154 of the collet 150 may be ring shaped. In another embodiment, thebottom 154 of the collet 150 is made of transparent materials to allowrays of light to pass through to the image sensor assembly 130. The arms152 of the collet 150 may extend radially from the body 158 of the lensbarrel 110 and may be outside the channel of the tube portion 128 of thelens mount 120 when assembled. The arms 152 of the collet may be used tophysically couple the lens barrel 110 to the camera body (not shown).

The camera lens mount 120 may comprise a base portion 124 and a tubeportion 122. The base portion 124 may include a bottom surface in aplane substantially parallel to a surface of the image sensor substrate140. In one embodiment, the base portion 124 may include a recess (notviewable in FIG. 1 ) to enable the bottom surface of the base portion124 to lie flat against the image sensor substrate 140 while partiallyenclosing the image sensor assembly 130. The tube portion 122 of thelens mount 120 may extend away from the image sensor assembly 130 alongthe optical axis 170 and may include a substantially cylindrical channelfor receiving the collet 150. An adhesive between the collet 150 and thelens mount 120 adheres the outer surface of the body 158 of the collet150 to the inner surface of the channel 128 of the camera lens mount120.

The image sensor substrate 140 may comprise a printed circuit board formounting the image sensor assembly 130 and may furthermore includevarious electronic components that operate with the image sensorassembly 130 or provide external connections to other components of thecamera system. The image sensor assembly 130 may house an image sensor(e.g., a high-definition image sensor) for capturing images and/or videoand include structural elements for physically coupling the image sensorassembly 130 to the image sensor substrate 140 and to the camera lensmount 120. The image sensor of the image sensor assembly 130 lies on animage plane 171. The combined focal plane of the lens window 112 andlenses internal to the lens barrel 116 may be maintained to coincidewith the image plane 171.

The assembly process for manufacturing the integrated sensor and lensassembly 100 may involve first coupling the lens barrel 110 to thecollet 150 via the tunable fastening structures of the lens barrel 110and of the collet 150. The lens barrel 110 and the collet 150 may beslid into the lens mount 120, and aligned to achieve the best focuswhile eliminating the tilt of the optical axis 170. The assembled lensbarrel 110 and collet 150 may be then affixed to the lens mount 120 byadhering the collet 150 to the lens mount 120 and curing the adhesive.The optical components of the lens barrel 110 may move relative to theimage sensor assembly 130 from their aligned positions during theassembly and curing process and/or due to temperature cycling. Thiscauses the optical distance to the image sensor assembly 130 to shift orcauses the optical axis 170 to tilt thereby defocusing the assembly 100.

To compensate for focal changes after initial tuning, assembly, andcuring, the threaded lens barrel 110 may be rotated within the threadedcollet 150 to vertically adjust the position of the lens barrel 110 andto adjust the focal plane thereby to compensate for the focal shifts.This post-tuning operation may be performed, for example, by a tuningmachine having a stepper motor that rotates the lens barrel 110 withrespect to the collet 150 in a precise manner. In one embodiment, thethreads of the lens barrel 110 and the collet 150 are fine pitched suchthat the focal plane may be adjusted relative to the image plane 171precisely or substantially precisely in a controlled fashion such thatthe focal plane is maintained to be aligned with or substantiallyaligned with the image plane 171. For example, the threads 118 on thesurface of the lower portion 116 of the lens barrel 110 and the threads156 on the inner surface of the body 158 of the collet 150 allow thefocal plane to be adjusted by +/−5 um via a minimal angular rotation(e.g., less than 5 degrees). As described herein, substantially alignedrefers to the distance between the focal plane and the image plane 171is within a predefined tolerance that would be acceptable to thoseskilled in the art. In various embodiments, the predefined tolerance canbe, for example, a 1% tolerance, a 2% tolerance, a 5% tolerance, etc.

In some embodiments, after the post-tuning operation adjusts the focalplane to be aligned with or substantially aligned with the image plane171, the lens barrel 110 may be affixed to the collet 150 which isaffixed to the lens mount 120 by adhering the lens barrel 110 to thecollet 150 and curing the adhesive. This prevents the lens barrel 110from moving relative to the collet 150 thereby preventing the opticalcomponents of the lens barrel 110 from moving relative to the imagesensor assembly 130 from their aligned positions. Accordingly, the focalplane can be maintained in alignment with or substantially in alignmentwith the image plane 171. The fastening structures can be configuredsuch that the focal plane may be adjusted precisely or substantiallyprecisely relative to the image plane 171 without overburdening anystepper motor quantization of a tuning machine. For example, the lead(i.e., distance along the optical axis that is covered by one completerotation) or the pitch (i.e., the distance from the crest of one threadto the next) of threads 118 and 156 are within a predetermined range. Inaddition, the threads are configured to minimize the rotation of thelens barrel 110 relative to the collet 150 thereby to minimize theimpact on the position of the optical axis 170.

In various embodiments, as tuning may result in particle generation, aviscous non-curing fluid can be applied to the threads 118 and 156 inorder to provide sealing and particle retention. The lower portion 116of the lens barrel 110 may be tapered and the body 158 of the collet 150may be configured to include an interior lip (not shown) to retain thefluid and preclude it from being deposited onto an image sensorsubstrate 140.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment ofan integrated image sensor and lens assembly 200 that includes a cameralens barrel 210, a camera lens mount 220, a collet 250, and an imagesensor substrate 140. The function of the camera lens barrel 210, cameralens mount 220, and collet 250 are the similar to that of the cameralens barrel 110, camera lens mount 120, and collet 150 described abovewith reference to FIG. 1 , respectively. For example, the lens barrel210 may comprise one or more barrel arms 114, and a lens window 112described above with reference to FIG. 1 and a lower portion 216. Incontrast to the lens barrel 110 described above with reference to FIG. 1, the lens barrel 210 may lack the fastening structure on the outersurface of the lower portion 216 of the lens barrel 210. Furthermore, incontrast to the collet 150 described above with reference to FIG. 1 ,the collet 250 may lack the fastening structure such as threads on theinner surface of the body 258 and may instead include a fasteningstructure such as threads 258 on the outer surface of the body 258. Thecamera lens mount 220 may include a fastening structure such as threads226 on the surface of the tube portion 222 of the camera lens mount 220.

In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the lens barrel210 may be coupled to the collet 250 by adhering the surface of thelower portion 216 of the lens barrel 210 to the inner surface of thebody 258 of the collet 250. The collet 250 may include a fasteningstructure such as threads 256 on the outer surface of the body 258. InFIG. 2 , the threads 258 are illustrated with dotted lines to indicatethat they are on the outer surface of the collet 250 and not part of thecross-sectional view. The lens mount 220 may also include a fasteningstructure, reciprocal to the fastening structure of the collet 250, suchas threads 226 on the surface of the tube portion 222 of the camera lensmount 220. The fastening structures of the lens mount 220 and of thecollet 250 may be configured to mate with each other such that thecollet 250 may be fastened to the lens mount 220. The fasteningstructures of the lens mount 220 and of the collet 250 may be tunablewith respect to each other to enable the vertical position of the collet250 within the lens mount 220 to be vertically adjusted after curing.Because the lens barrel 210 is affixed to the collet 250, the verticalposition of the lens barrel 210 may be adjusted relative to the lensmount 220. For example, in a threaded assembly, the collet 250 can berotated in a first direction to lower the lens barrel 210 with respectto lens mount 220 and can be rotated in a second direction to raise thelens barrel 210 with respect to the lens mount 220. The body 258 of thecollet 250 may extend away from the lens window 112 when assembled andinto the channel of the tube portion 222 of the camera lens mount 220.

In some embodiments, after the post-tuning operation adjusts the focalplane to be aligned with or substantially aligned with the image plane171, the collet 150 which is affixed to the lens barrel 210 may beaffixed to the lens mount 220 by adhering the lens barrel 210 to thelens mount 220 and curing the adhesive. This prevents the collet 150from moving relative to the lens mount 220 thereby prevents the opticalcomponents of the lens barrel 210 from moving relative to the imagesensor assembly 130 from their aligned positions. Accordingly, the focalplane can be maintained in alignment with or substantially in alignmentwith the image plane 171.

In various embodiments, as tuning may result in particle generation, aviscous non-curing fluid can be applied to the threads 226 and 258 inorder to provide sealing and particle retention. The body 258 of thecollet 250 may be tapered and the channel 128 of the lens mount 220 maybe configured to include an interior lip (not shown) to retain the fluidand preclude it from being deposited onto the sensor.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example processing of manufacturing an integratedimage sensor and lens assembly. The lens barrel, collet, and lens mountmay be positioned 302. Particularly, the collet may be positioned withinthe channel of the tube portion of the lens mount, and the lens barrelmay be positioned within the collet. In a process for manufacturing anintegrated image sensor and lens assembly 100 consistent with theembodiment of FIG. 1 , the lens barrel 110 may be coupled to the collet150 via the fastening structures of the lens barrel 110 and of thecollet 150. Here, the assembled lens barrel 110 and the collet 150 maybe slid into the lens mount 120. Alternatively, in a process formanufacturing an integrated image sensor and lens assembly 200consistent with the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the collet 250 may be coupledto the lens mount 220 via the fastening structures of the collet 250 andof the lens mount 220, and the lens barrel 210 may be slid into thecollet 250. The lens barrel (or assembled lens barrel and collet) may bealigned 304 and the focal plane may be checked to achieve the best focuswhile eliminating the tilt of the optical axis. Once aligned, in aprocess for manufacturing the integrated image sensor and lens assembly100 of FIG. 1 , the collet 150 may be affixed, for example, viaadhesive, to the lens mount 120 where the lens barrel 110 is fastened tothe collet 150. Alternatively, in a process for manufacturing theintegrated image sensor and lens assembly 200 of FIG. 2 , the lensbarrel 220 may be affixed, for example, via adhesive, to the collet 250and the collet 250 may be fastened to the lens mount 220 via thethreads. The adhesive may be cured.

The position of the lens barrel may be re-aligned 306 (e.g., byrotation) relative to the lens mount to compensate for the focal planeshift that may have occurred during assembly/curing and/or temperaturecycling. For example, in a process for manufacturing the integratedimage sensor and lens assembly 100 of FIG. 1 , the lens barrel 110 maybe adjusted by rotating the lens barrel 110 within the collet 150 viathe threads. Alternatively, in a process for manufacturing theintegrated image sensor and lens assembly 200 of FIG. 2 , the lensbarrel 210 may be adjusted by rotating the collet 250 within the lensmount 220. As such, the focal plane may be aligned with or substantiallyaligned with the image plane. Once aligned, in a process formanufacturing the integrated image sensor and lens assembly 100 of FIG.1 , the lens barrel 110 may be affixed, for example, via adhesive, tothe collet 150 where the collet 150 is affixed to the lens mount 120.Alternatively, in a process for manufacturing the integrated imagesensor and lens assembly 200 of FIG. 2 , the collet 250 may be affixed,for example, via adhesive, to the lens mount 220 where the lens barrel210 is affixed to the collet 250. The adhesive may be cured.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment ofan integrated image sensor and lens assembly 100 that includes a cameralens barrel 410, a camera lens mount 220, and an image sensor substrate140. Compared to the embodiments as described with respect to FIGS. 1-2that include a structure involving three components (i.e., a lensbarrel, a collet, and a camera lens mount), the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 4 includes a structure involving two components (e.g., a lensbarrel 410 and a camera lens mount 420). Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 4may omit the collet 150, 250 and the lens barrel 410 may attach directlyto the lens mount 220 in a tunable manner. As illustrated, the surfaceof the tube portion 222 of the lens mount 220 may include reciprocaltunable fastening structures such as threads that enable the lens barrel410 to be adjusted within the lens mount 420 after assembly or curing.In this embodiment, a process of manufacturing includes placing the lensbarrel 410 within the lens mount 220 and aligning the lens mount 220 tothe image sensor assembly 130 for optimal focus. An adhesive may be thenapplied and cured to affix the image sensor assembly 130 to the lensmount 220. After assembly and curing, the focal plane may be adjusted byrotating the lens barrel 410 relative to the lens mount 420 tocompensate for any shift on the focal plane that may have occurredduring assembly and curing or due to temperature cycling.

Example Camera System Configuration

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an example camera 500 that includesan integrated image sensor and lens assembly (e.g., the integrated imagesensor and lens assembly 100 (200 or 400) of FIG. 1 (2 or 4) describedabove). The camera 500 comprises a camera body having a camera lensstructured on a front surface of the camera body, various indicators onthe front of the surface of the camera body (such as LEDs, displays, andthe like), various input mechanisms (such as buttons, switches, andtouch-screen mechanisms), and electronics (e.g., imaging electronics,power electronics, etc.) internal to the camera body for capturingimages via the camera lens and/or performing other functions. Thecameral 500 may be configured to capture images and video, and to storecaptured images and video for subsequent display or playback. Asillustrated, the camera 500 may include a lens 502 configured to receivelight incident upon the lens and to direct received light onto an imagesensor internal to the lens. The lens 502 may be enclosed by a lens ring504, which are both part of the integrated image sensor and lensassembly 100 (200 or 300) discussed above.

The camera 500 can include various indicators, including the LED lights506 and the LED display 508. The camera 500 can also include buttons 510configured to allow a user of the camera to interact with the camera, toturn the camera on, and to otherwise configure the operating mode of thecamera. The camera 500 can also include a microphone 512 configured toreceive and record audio signals in conjunction with recording video.The side of the camera 500 includes an I/O interface 514.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for theembodiments as disclosed from the principles herein. Thus, whileparticular embodiments and applications have been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein.Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated image sensor and lens assemblydefining an optical axis, the integrated image sensor and lens assemblycomprising: a first member including a tubular body portion having afirst end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the tubularbody portion includes a non-threaded portion located adjacent to thefirst end thereof; and a second member arranged concentrically inrelation to the first member and supporting a lens barrel having a firstend with at least one lens and a substantially cylindrical second endopposite the first end, wherein the first member and the second memberare arranged such that the first end of the tubular body portion isspaced a first distance from the lens barrel and the second end of thetubular body portion is spaced a second distance from the lens barrelgreater than the first distance.
 2. The integrated image sensor and lensassembly of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a set of internalthreads spaced axially from the non-threaded portion along the opticalaxis.
 3. The integrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim 1,wherein the lens barrel includes a single lens.
 4. The integrated imagesensor and lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel includes aplurality of lenses spaced axially along the optical axis.
 5. Theintegrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim 1, wherein thetubular body portion includes a non-threaded outer surface.
 6. Theintegrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim 5, wherein the firstmember further includes a base portion extending radially outward fromthe tubular body portion.
 7. The integrated image sensor and lensassembly of claim 6, further including: an image sensor substrate; andan image sensor supported by the image sensor substrate, the baseportion receiving the image sensor.
 8. The integrated image sensor andlens assembly of claim 1, wherein the second member extends into thefirst member.
 9. The integrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim8, wherein the second member extends radially outward in relation to thefirst member such that the second member overlies an uppermost surfaceof the first member along the optical axis.
 10. The integrated imagesensor and lens assembly of claim 9, wherein the second member supportsthe lens barrel such that the lens barrel does not extend radiallybeyond the first member.
 11. An integrated image sensor and lensassembly comprising: a first member supporting a lens defining anoptical axis, the first member including: a non-threaded exteriorsurface; and a threaded exterior surface positioned axially between thenon-threaded exterior surface and the lens; a second member arrangedconcentrically with respect to the first member; and a third memberarranged concentrically with respect to the first member and the secondmember, the first member extending radially outward in relation to thethird member such that the first member overlies an uppermost surface ofthe third member along the optical axis.
 12. The integrated image sensorand lens assembly of claim 11, wherein the first member includes: atubular body portion; and a radial extension extending radially outwardfrom the tubular body portion, the radial extension including anon-threaded outer surface.
 13. The integrated image sensor and lensassembly of claim 11, wherein the third member includes a tubular bodyportion defining a non-threaded exterior surface.
 14. The integratedimage sensor and lens assembly of claim 13, wherein the tubular bodyportion includes: a first end spaced a first distance from the lens; asecond end spaced a second distance from the lens greater than the firstdistance; and internal threads located between the first end and thesecond end.
 15. The integrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim14, wherein the tubular body portion further includes a non-threadedportion extending from the first end towards the internal threads. 16.The integrated image sensor and lens assembly of claim 15, wherein thethird member further includes a base extending radially outward inrelation to the tubular body portion.
 17. The integrated image sensorand lens assembly of claim 16, further including: an image sensorsubstrate; and an image sensor supported by the image sensor substrate,the base secured to the image sensor substrate.
 18. An integrated imagesensor and lens assembly comprising: a first member including: a tubularbody portion with a lower end and an upper end positioned opposite thelower end; a set of internal threads extending between the lower end andthe upper end; and a non-threaded portion extending from the set ofinternal threads to the upper end; a second member extending into thefirst member and configured to overlie an uppermost surface of the firstmember, the second member including: an outer surface including: a setof external threads configured for engagement with the set of internalthreads; and a non-threaded portion spaced axially from the set ofinternal threads along an optical axis of the integrated image sensorand lens assembly; and a non-threaded inner surface; a third memberextending into the second member; and an adherent located between thesecond member and the third member to fixedly connect the second memberand the third member.
 19. The integrated image sensor and lens assemblyof claim 18, wherein the tubular body portion defines a generallyuniform inner diameter along the optical axis.
 20. The integrated imagesensor and lens assembly of claim 18, wherein the third member includes:a lens; a non-threaded outer surface positioned adjacent to thenon-threaded inner surface of the second member; and a radial extensionextending radially outward in relation to the non-threaded outersurface, the radial extension including a second non-threaded outerwall.